DELHI, INDIA: The Indian Women’s League (IWL), India’s premier women’s club football competition, is set to commence its 2026-27 season on November 13, with eight clubs competing for the coveted title across Kolkata, Jamshedpur and Bengaluru. East Bengal will host Gokulam Kerala FC in the opening clash at the Kalyani Stadium outside Kolkata.
The upcoming season marks another important step in the development of women’s club football in India, with the league continuing to provide a competitive platform for the country’s leading women footballers.
The eight participating clubs will include six teams from the previous season – East Bengal FC, Sethu FC, Kickstart FC, Nita Football Academy, Gokulam Kerala FC and Garhwal United FC – alongside HOPS FC and Juba Sangha FC, who earned promotion from IWL 2 after finishing first and second, respectively, in the 2025-26 season.
East Bengal are the defending champions of IWL
Defending champions East Bengal FC will enter the new season aiming to retain their crown after a dominant campaign in 2025-26 with 13 wins and just one loss. The previous season also witnessed impressive individual performances, led by East Bengal FC’s Fazila Ikwaput, who finished as the league’s leading scorer with 20 goals.
Nita Football Academy’s Pyari Xaxa and Sethu FC’s Lynda Kom were among the other notable attacking performers, highlighting the depth of talent across the league. The announcement comes as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Capri Sports work together following their landmark 15-year partnership for the commercial development and marketing rights of the IWL and IWL 2.
“IWL remains a cornerstone of the development of women’s football in India” – AIFF
Mr M. Satyanarayan, Deputy Secretary General of AIFF, said:
“The Indian Women’s League remains a cornerstone of the development of women’s football in India. The 2026-27 season will see eight clubs compete for the title, with players across the country looking to make their mark on the national stage. Alongside this, the IWL 2 provides a valuable pathway for clubs and players to progress through the domestic structure.”
Speaking on the upcoming season, Mr Apurv Gupta, Head of Contact Sports, Capri Sports said:
“The 2026-27 season marks an important milestone as Capri Sports begins its journey with the Indian Women’s League. We see immense potential in the league, and in the talent it brings together from across the country. Our focus will be on building a stronger platform for women footballers, enhancing the league’s visibility and creating an environment where clubs and players can thrive.”
Cover image courtesy: Special arrangement
[This story has been generated from a syndicated feed and contains only minor edits]
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